two glases on a table (photo: Inspo on Unsplash)

Europe | Talking about political risks: In January, China began an anti-dumping investigation into all brandy imported from the European Union. The measure is effectively targeted at cognac, which is by far the biggest-selling imported spirit in China because of its luxury appeal.

Green Heineken bottle (photo: Jacek Abramowicz on Pixabay)

The Netherlands | Heineken's 2024 profit forecast disappointed investors on 14 February, sending its shares down 6.5 percent, as the world's number two brewer struck a cautious tone.

A glass of beer and a glass of whiskey on a table (photo: Yesmore Content on Unsplash)

United Kingdom | The minimum unit price (MUP) for alcoholic drinks in Scotland is poised to rise by 30 percent under measures to control alcohol-related deaths and hospitalisations. It will go up from GBP 0.50 to GBP 0.65 (USD 0.82) in May, six years after Scotland became the first country in the world to introduce the policy. The Scottish Parliament still needs to approve the increase.

Carlsberg taps (photo: Michael on pixabay)

Russia | Carlsberg’s Full Year 2023 results, announced on 7 February, were closely watched in Russia. According to the Russian news agency Interfax, Carlsberg recorded an impairment loss of DKK 7 billion (USD 1 billion) on its Russian assets.

Germany | If there is a long-term trend, it certainly points south. In 2023, German beer production declined 4.5 percent over 2022, wiping out all hopes that brewers’ output could eventually return to pre-Covid levels, the Bavarian Brewers Association said on 7 February.

People at a concert forming hearts with their hands (Photo: Anthony DELANOIX on Unsplash)

Austria | The Beer Party, founded largely as a joke, has said that it will enter into this year’s parliamentary elections, provided it can recruit 20,000 new members and raise funds before the end of April.

Cyclists on a road (Photo by Noralí Nayla on Unsplash)

The Netherlands | At the behest of public health advocates, 2024 saw the excise on beer, wines, and spirits rise by 8.4 percent. Some Dutch cities, including Utrecht, Haarlem, and Groningen, also decided to ban alcohol advertising on municipal billboards.

Person at a pub table looking at their phone (Photo: Burçin Ergünt on Unsplash)

The Netherlands | Beer industry associations worry that the excise increase will hit brewers hard. In recent years, the Netherlands has developed into a leading beer country with almost 1,000 breweries. The tax hike puts this at risk, according to recent research commissioned by the Dutch Beer Culture Heritage Foundation, the Dutch Brewers Association, and CRAFT, which represents craft brewers.

Neon sign saying Warszawa Powisle (Photo: John Nzoka on Unsplash)

Poland | The Polish brewing industry experienced a massive decline in 2023 – production may have dropped by as much as 7 percent, wiping out 2 million hl in beer sales over 2022.

Brew kettle, close-up (Photo: Martin Martz on Unsplash)

Czech Republic | State-owned Budějovický Budvar (Budweiser Budvar) brewed a record 1.8 million hl of beer in 2023, up 4.3 percent (+77 000 hl) year-on-year. More than 70 percent of its output was exported. Budvar expects to have reached sales of more than CZK 3 billion (USD 130 million) in 2023.

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